Newton County enacts burn ban

By Christopher Clausen

Published 1:25 pm, Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Newton County now has a burn ban in its unincorporated areas. It joins Hardin and Jasper counties.

Newton County Commissioners Court approved the burn ban at a meeting Wednesday, according to the proclamation that announced the ban. It is in place for 30 days unless the commissioners court lifts it.

The county, like the rest of Texas, is in a drought. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Drought Monitor lists Newton County, most of Jasper County and the northern portion of Hardin County as being in extreme drought.

The rest of Southeast Texas is in a severe drought, according to the monitor.